Victory! Exhibition marks 80 years since WWII

A new exhibition is set to be launching in Ashton's Portland Basin Museum to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

'Victory!' will be launching on Saturday 19th July, and will explore the stories of local people by drawing on the award-winning museum's social history collection - as well as a collection from the Manchester Regiment, whose barracks were on Mossley Road. Images from Tameside Local Studies and Archives will also be featured. 

The exhibition has been funded by a £20,000 grant from Museum Development North, through Arts Council England. Portland Basin is one of only five sites in the north to have received the grant, which will also be used to buy a new display case as art of the exhibition.

Shops surrounding the museum will be decorated on the day to reflect the 1940s and commemorate the daily lives of those living on the home front.

A family fun day has also been arranged for the following week, on the 30th July. It will include a visit from the Manchester Regiment history group, craft activities, dressing up and sing-a-longs with wartime characters.

Cllr Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council’s executive member for lifelong learning and culture, said: “This really is a top quality exhibition and I would strongly encourage people to come and see it.

“It allows visitors to experience the party atmosphere felt at the end of the war by some, yet at the same time be reminded of the thanks and remembrance we owe to those who endured so much for our freedom.”

The exhibition will run between the 19th July and 22nd March of next year. Portland Basin is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday, with free admission.